Sri Lanka crash land to number 7

SL outfit 

Sri Lanka ended the Asia Rugby Sevens 2022 third leg on number seven position in Al Ain at the Al Amblers Rugby Football Club ground in UAE yesterday. Hong Kong Men’s who won both the first and second legs went on to win the third leg as well by 21/5 when they beat hosts, UAE. They also accounted for the overall series win in the Asian Sevens series for 2022. Meanwhile Chinese Women’s displayed top class rugby to win the third leg beating Japan 21/14 and won the overall series. Sri Lankan referee, Aaqil Jamaldeen handled the Women’s final encounter.

Hong Kong Men’s collected 36 points in three legs while South Korea were second with 22 points. Sri Lanka playing in two legs in South Korea and UAE was placed 7th overall in the series with a total of nine points.

The Sri Lanka team arrived in the UAE only a day before the tournament and lost out on training opportunities. Selection delays, approval from the Ministry of Sports coming in very late, flight departure training in the morning at CR and FC these could be factors for a below average performance on day one. But the lads showed great legs against Hong Kong later in the day one when they led 12/7 at the short breather. Many other overseas teams arrived in UAE a minimum of three days before the event had training sessions to customize with the local conditions.

Sri Lanka lost out four games to Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and South Korea while in the 7th place play-off they beat Malaysia 26/12 which was their only win in the two days event in the Middle East.

Sri Lanka lost out to South Korea 26/17

Sri Lanka on day two kicked off the proceedings with the game against South Korea in the Plate semi-final encounter. Sri Lanka started off well with Tharinda Ratwatte fending off a few defenders before touching down in the far-left corner. But South Korea hit back through their speedy set of three quarters to take the lead with a converted try by two points at 7/5. Sri Lanka who looked a yard faster than day one scored their second try through a nice late pass by Nigel Ratwatte for Tharinda Ratwatte to touch down to take the short breather 12/7.

After the turn around Sri Lanka went further ahead through a good solo try by Nigel Ratwatte to take the lead 17/7. That was it as the South Koreans hit back through three unanswered tries courtesy of poor ball handling by the Sri Lankan outfit who also lost out on their steam.

Sri Lanka outclass Malaysia 26/12

Sri Lanka playing in the 7th place play-off game against Malaysia re-grouped and played a better brand of rugby. They scored two tries in the first half through Tharinda Ratwatte and Akash Madushanka.

After the turn around Kavindu Perera touched down one try to have a clean sweep 21 to nothing but the Malaysians who beat the Sri Lankans in the group stages hit back with two tries in tandem cut the deficit to 9 points at 21/12. Sri Lanka erased the glimmer of hope of a Malaysian comeback when Chathura Seneviratne touched down Sri Lankans 4th try to end the event on Number 7 position.

Earlier in the opening day Sri Lanka lost out to China (14/31), Malaysia (19/26) and Hong Kong (17/33). With these three defeats put them into the Plate segment of the tournament. Chathura Seneviratne and Darshana Dabare scored one try a piece against the Chinese outfit while in the Malaysian encounter Chathura Seneviratne, Mithun Hapugoda and Srinarth Sooriyabandara scored a try each while in the last game against Hong Kong Darshana Dabare (2) and Mithun Hapugoda scored the tries.

Day 2

n Women’s

Plate semi finals

Kazakhstan walk-over

Philippines beat Malaysia 17/7

Plate final

Kazakhstan beat Philippines 17/0

Cup semi finals

Japan beat Thailand 19/14, China beat Hong Kong 31/0

3rd place

Thailand beat South Korea 24/10

Cup final

China beat Japan 21/14

n Men’s

Plate semi finals

Philippines beat Malaysia 33/7, South Korea beat Sri Lanka 26/17

Plate final

Philippines beat South Korea 24/19

7th place play-off

Sri Lanka beat Malaysia 26/12

Cup semi finals

Hong Kong beat Japan 33/7, UAE beat China 26/21

3/4th play off

Japan beat China 33/21

Cup Final

Hong Kong beat UAE 21/5